Local Campaigns

Beverley Minster 'open space' campaign
The campaign to preserve the open space to the south of Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire began in the late 1970s, following the drafting of a development brief for St Andrew Street and Lurk Lane by the Borough Council. Despite the sensitivity of the site, extensive demolition of property and expansion of new housing was proposed. In late 1980, as outline planning permission was granted by the Council for the first phase, local objectors launched the Beverley Heritage Alliance. Despite securing an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner or Ombudsman in 1981, followed by a judicial review in 1982, the objectors ultimately failed to prevent the development from proceeding.

The collection comprises papers produced and accumulated by various parties to the affair, which were subsequently copied or acquired by Richard Wilson, one of the chief objectors. Included are copies of the Council's draft development brief from 1976, the feasibility study undertaken by York University Design Unit in 1977 and both reports issued by the Ombudsman in 1981. [U DBE]

East Yorkshire Action Group
The East Yorkshire Action Group was formed shortly after the East Riding County Council was abolished and the county of Humberside created in 1974. Humberside proved to be the least loved of the new counties established by the reform of local government, and the two main areas north and south of the Humber Estuary failed (at least in the general public's perception) to work effectively as a single unit. The chairman of the EYAG, Trevor Pearson, eventually led the campaign to success in 1995.

The collection was deposited by one of the campaigners, Richard Wilson. It includes copies of letters and submissions made in support of the campaign, articles and letters in newspapers, notes for speeches, newspaper cuttings, transcriptions of speeches and notes for them. [U DEY]

Hull Action for Peace
This non-party organisation was established in early 1978 following a public meeting in Hull on 'alternative employment' advocating a switch from military to civilian production. The group, which lasted until the mid-1980s, was affiliated to the National Peace Council and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It worked with other sympathetic groups, such as the Hull Trades Council's Peace Sub-Committee.

The History Centre holds a small collection of records of Hull Action for Peace between 1979 and 1981, including minutes, correspondence and publicity material. [U DX/225]